Lunch at Captain Billy's

An early afternoon meeting today in Dahlgren, VA, provided the perfect opportunity to lunch at a local waterfront restaurant.  A colleague and I stopped at Captain Billy’s Crab House in Popes Creek, MD.  Located on the northern shore of the Potomac River, Captain Billy’s rewards its diners with not just great seafood, but also with expansive views across the river to Virginia and to the Governor Harry Nice Memorial Bridge (Route 301), about two and half miles to the south.

 We were one of about eight tables this afternoon, but given the size of the bar, dining area, and probably most telling the gravel parking lot, I imagine Captain Billy’s gets downright busy at times.  Forgetting for a moment that I was in Maryland and not across the river, I ordered the cream of crab soup vice the vegetable, and a sweet tea, followed by the clam basket.  The soup was excellent, and the portion more than generous.  The clams weren’t bad either, but what doesn’t taste great fried?  My colleague had the crab salad, and based on how quickly he cleaned his plate he was as happy with his selection as I was with mine.

The best I could tell Popes Creek consists entirely of Captain Billy’s, a second waterfront restaurant just down the road (Gilligan’s), and an old abandoned brick warehouse.  Although literally miles from the highway and nearest town, Captain Billy’s is easy to find thanks to the large billboard on Route 301.  Give it a shot the next time you pass that way.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel

One of the seven engineering wonders of the modern world, the 17.6 mile long Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel connecting the southern tip of Virginia’s Eastern Shore to Virginia Beach offers spectacular views usually reserved for boaters.  Despite having now crossed it countless times I’m still always excited to do so.  You can’t help to feel connected to the Bay when you’re nearly eight miles from either shoreline.  I particularly enjoy crossing in bad weather, when I can experience the Bay’s wrath from the climate-controlled comfort of my SUV!

The Bridge-Tunnel’s length is impressive, and the numbers don’t do it justice.  You really need to see it for yourself.  Toll booth to toll booth length is 20 miles, or to put it another way for those of us who live in Annapolis, the length of Route 50 between the Severn River Bridge and the DC beltway.  My roommate’s father, seeing the lights of the Virginia Beach to Thimble Shoal Channel spans one night and not realizing it was the bridge, commented “Wow, that’s one heck of a pier.”

Finally, here’s a note of caution for first time CBBT drivers.  The Bridge-Tunnel cops have nothing, absolutely nothing better to do than catch speeders.  They sit in the numerous pull-off spots on either span with radar guns a blazing.  So set the cruise control at 60 and enjoy the drive.

Scenic Overlook - Fisherman Island NWR

Most of us have stopped at one.  There are scenic overlooks all across our country.  One particularly amazing one I remember is on the Going to the Sun road in Glacier National Park.  Those are the ones we stop to enjoy … the ones we search out or often stumble upon while on vacation.  I’d guess for each scenic overlook I’ve stopped at, there are 100 I’ve passed by, and at least one of those I’ve passed by 50 times if I’ve passed it once.  Friday, for the first time, I finally stopped at the Fisherman Island NWR scenic overlook.

Located on Route 13 just past the southbound tollbooth for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel on the southern tip of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, the overlook offers sweeping, westerly views of the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.  I happened to catch it Friday evening just as the sun was setting over the Bay.  To the east is Cape Charles lighthouse and Fisherman Inlet.  Years ago I trained in small boat navigation on that water, always fun given the dynamic nature of the channels (and the fact that we did it at night).

Established in 1969, Fisherman Island NWR is 1,850 acres of shifting sands that comprise Virginia’s southernmost barrier island.  It is one of only 17 sites in the United States designated as a “Wetland of International Importance.”  A critical habitat for a variety of animals, the refuge is not open to the public, with the exception of guided tours between October and March.  The deer crossing signs along the highway aren’t just for show.  Just last year I had to slow for two deer crossing Rt. 13. 

Three other cars joined me at the overlook, all with out-of-state tags, and all with passengers who got out, stretched their legs, and snapped some photos.  Even amidst the commotion of my fellow visitors and passing highway traffic, I found the overlook peaceful and relaxing.  With very little concentration the only sound I noticed was that of the waves lapping at the shore.  Just after the sun dipped below the horizon, I climbed backed into the car, thankful for finally stopping at a scenic overlook I had long neglected, and excited to stop at the next.